Category Archives: Linfairn windfarm

The Public Local Inquiry (PLI) into Linfairn Wind Farm has been postponed and is now likely be rescheduled for January 2018 at the earliest.

The Applicant has been asked to re-do the work on noise, to ensure the proper background levels are measured and the real impacts on homes can be properly quantified. In February of 2015, SSfS submitted a detailed and considered consultation response to the Applicant’s Addendum. The chapter on noise in that response document detailed our concerns about both the potential for noise nuisance attendant with the Application and the fact that the noise impacts had not been properly measured or reported. If WilloWind, their appointed experts or legal advisors had read our submission, then they would have known for more than two years that this work would be necessary prior to any meaningful examination of the issues at a PLI.

We would, of course, prefer that the PLI be held as soon as possible, but as we said back in 2015, we want the data to be accurate so that the threat of this proposal can be decided on the facts (and hopefully recommended for refusal) and our community can get on with their lives.

In the meantime the Save Straiton committee will be working on our case and those willing to appear as witnesses will be preparing their presentation.

What a delicious way to celebrate our success! Pink bubbly, Pimms and scrumptious baking. Our newly-elected MP, Bill Grant, (pictured above) came along and addressed the gathering giving words of encouragement in our fight against WilloWind and their plans to ruin the upper Girvan valley.

Chair of Save Straiton, Lala, spoke about our recent success and asked everyone to help in the forthcoming Public Inquiry into Linfairn. This can be done in three ways: firstly, you can volunteer to speak at the Inquiry and we’ll give you all the help and support you need. Secondly you can support those who are speaking and/or taking part in the Inquiry by helping them with daily tasks (picking children up, getting baby clothes from http://babyzoom.net/blog/buy-cheap-baby-clothes/, walking dogs, providing sandwiches etc) and thirdly by making a financial contribution to the campaign.

The Public Inquiry sessions will last 10 days and starts on Tuesday 23 October and finishes on Friday 3 November. Please come along and listen to the evidence and support us in what we hope will be our last fight.

A huge thank you to Jeanette and her team who ran the event. Over £1,000 was raised. Thank you to all those who came along to enjoy the afternoon, bought raffle tickets and gave donations.

Thank you to all those who came along last night to our AGM, and to those who couldn’t manage but expressed their support with donations. We had a splendid turnout to enjoy the mince pies, prosecco and cup cakes. Our Chair, Lala, along with other members of the team gave an update on the campaign and a summary of the finances.

The team will all stay in their current roles except for Tom who wishes to step down as Treasurer when a replacement can be found. Lala highlighted our successes: over 60% of turbines have been withdrawn; Keirs Hill refused; Glenmount withdrawn and the Hadyards Hill Extension reduced in numbers. If anyone would like to join the team we’d love to hear from you. Alternatively, if you don’t want to fully commit, you may wish to be co-opted to research a particular topic which interests you. If you enjoy a party we’d love it if you could assist us in organising some fun events.

Our focus is now on Knockskae and Linfairn. Brookfield, the developer of Knockskae, have postponed the date they want to appear before the Planning Committee until next year, possibly March. The public inquiry into Linfairn is also scheduled for next spring. We’ll ensure they do not overlap and be ready for both.

Our mandate to protect the landscape around Straiton and surrounding communities was supported by all those present. The creation of a Galloway National Park would greatly help to prevent inappropriate developments and it was agreed we would campaign for this.

South Ayrshire Council’s planning meeting at which a decision on Knoackskae will be made is scheduled for 14 December. Linfairn is going to a Public Inquiry next spring but if you wish to speak you have to contact the DPEA by 16 November (the deadline was extended).

We’re having our AGM in the McCandlish Hall in Straiton on 1 December at 7.30pm, we’d love to see you there to share the very latest campaign news over a glass of wine and a mince pie.

If you were one of the thousands of folks who objected to Linfairn wind farm please consider participating in the public inquiry and speaking out. You should already have had an invitation to take part. If you did object but haven’t had notification of the inquiry please let us know – it’s vital.

If speaking up in public is something you are unaccustomed to, or nervous of doing, don’t worry. You don’t have to be a polished speaker as the Reporter will be interested in your evidence and your point of view.

At the Keirs Hill Inquiry we gained valuable experience with the Inquiry process and will help you prepare and let you know what to expect. Speaking at an Inquiry is a great opportunity to emphasise your objection to the Reporter in person, especially if you live close to the proposal and are likely to suffer major impacts. We will be taking part as will the Community Council, South Ayrshire Council and private individuals. You will not be alone.

If you are willing to take part in the Public Inquiry please remember to reply by Friday 4 November. If you haven’t opted before the deadline you may regret not doing so later.

The target date for the Inquiry is 7 March 2017. The confirmed date and venue will be published in the Ayrshire Post. We will also publish the information once it is confirmed.

Remember you can only take part if you have already objected, emailliz.kerr@gov.scotquoting ref: WIN-370-1 Linfairn Wind Farm.